The Perfect Semester in Madrid Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/14/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Getafe

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained confidence in living a city life from finding an apartment to navigating public transportation. I learned how to assimilate into a new place as much as possible and how to communicate better with people from different cultures or in different languages. I learned that I love Madrid -- definitely worthwhile!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Courses were not very academically rigorous, but it was a great opportunity to work on language skills.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Living arrangements were difficult to secure at first, but worked out great in the end!
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	The program was very helpful in ensuring that proper healthcare was received when needed.
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I loved being in Madrid because the city is so manageable and unique. I also really enjoyed taking classes at Getafe because it felt like a more authentic experience being in the Spanish university system.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	Housing cost roughly $125 per week and food would cost $50-$100 with a combination of cooking at home and eating out. There were also additional expenses for traveling or other activities.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	The more you cook in your living situation or eat with your host family, the less money you will spend. Avoiding buying a lot of drinks while out will also save money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish 349
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Speaking exclusively Spanish in your apartment is a good way to practice the language. Spanish music is also helpful.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Direct enrollment in the Spanish university Flexibility with living situations Middlebury support on-site
* What could be improved?	Program orientation Program calendar and schedule Accommodations search
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew how many places there are to explore just outside of Madrid that are perfect for day trips or even for the afternoon. I also wish I knew how much there would be to do inside the city limits as well.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Historia Contemporánea
Course Department:	Sociology
Instructor:	Beatriz de las Heras Herrero
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The professor was very helpful and presented content through different medias. The class was not very interactive and the final exam required a lot of studying.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Comunicación Avanzada
Course Department:	Sede Prim
Instructor:	Carmen Carballo Sanchiz
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The course was the perfect level of difficulty and we were always participating in class. We learned language skills as well as cultural information. Carmen was a great professor!
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Sociedad y el Medioambiente
Course Department:	Sociology
Instructor:	Mercedes Pardo Buendia
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The course was not challenging but was a good opportunity to interact with Spanish students. The professor required international students to work with Spanish students in class discussions or activities. The class was interactive and the professor was very helpful.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Cine y Televisión en España
Course Department:	Comunicación Audiovisual
Instructor:	Juan Carlos Ibañez Fernandez
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The class was not challenging but could be boring at times. The professor was nice but very difficult to contact outside of class.
Credit Transfer Issues: